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January / February 2019
The Transformation of Guangzhou
into China’s
MOST LIVEABLE CITY
广州
GUANGZHOU
PAPER MAGAZINE
would like to wish all its readers a prosperous
and
HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR!
PAPER MAGAZINE WeChat:
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Paper online:
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Janary-February 2019
04 cover story 25 cotchin
Find out how Guangzhou transformed into one
of China's most liveable cities as we take you on
enlightenment living facebook.com/NeoPaperMagazine
a journey inside the arts and cultural heartbeat of
South China!
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08 city window
30 cru twitter.com/paper_neo
10 arts & events
32 mice
12 fortune Contact
34 living Tel: (8620) 8365 2811
14 jetsetter Email: sales@neo-ads.com
35 out n about
Chief Operating Officer: LC Chau
36 destination Director: Italiana Granni
38 supremos Consulting Director: Allan Au
Editing Consultant: May Guan
The Corporate Executive Officer & Chief Editor in Chief: William C
Development Officer of Prince Hotels & Guest Editor: Ben Chu
Resorts, Mr Jiro Amikura unveils his plans for Financial Controller: Takuto
bringing the best of Japanese hospitality to Marketing Director: Alex Leung, Shirley Tse
South China.
Marketing Manager:
Ambro Chow, Purple Liu
40 education Creative Director: Rita Shi
Get your cameras ready for a visual feast. We witty wine Publication Co-coordinator: Nana
Photographer:
41 bulletin
bring you on an art tour of Florence, the art Leona, Purple, Hiroly
capital of the world!
18 auto 45 diary Contributors:
Allan CW Au, Anna G, Gregory Louraichi,
20 muse GiGi Chik, Jessie Huang, John Chu,
Kenny Tan, Kee Lee, Lena Liu, Peter Fenton,
22 eureka Roy Moorfield, Sukanya Mukherjee,
Yuyao.K., Han Peiyi, Rain L.
23 fighting fit
24 athlete
THE TRANSFORMATION OF
04
GUANGZHOU
INTO CHINA’S
cover story
PAPER MAGAZINE
MOST LIVEABLE CITY
Guangzhou’s transformation into a prosperous first-tier city was nothing short of
amazing. In its economic heydays when China first opened its doors to the rest of
the world, it was proudly dubbed the “factory of the world” for the sheer volume
of goods that it produced and shipped to the rest of the world. Yet, even as the
Cantonese have accumulated enormous wealth and riches through their business
acumen and frenetic pace of getting things done, its burgeoning vibrant arts and
culture scene has sprung up over the years to offset the hustle and bustle of urban
life and in its process, transformed Guangzhou’s culture and endowed it with a
more liveable lifestyle.
CANTONESE FOOD CULTURE REIGNS SUPREME
Shanghai may boast of being Mainland
China’s financial hub and Beijing may be
the undisputed political centre in the North
but Guangzhou is undoubtedly the Culinary
Capital of China. Foreigners who are used
to bulldozing things through and pushing
aggressively to get things done will be
amazed by the Yum Cha culture which is
deeply embedded in the Cantonese way of
life and even the way they conduct business
and trade. While you are
trying to seal the latest
deal and tempers might
get a bit heated, you can count on the time-honored tradition of discussing
things over a Yum Cha session to diffuse tensions and resolve matters calmly,
and what better way to cool down than to partake in a culinary journey in
togetherness with your business partners or even loved ones.
Jiang by Chef Fei, located amidst the elegant environs of the classy
Mandarin Oriental, Guangzhou, is a Michelin-starred restaurant which has not
only perfected the craft of traditional Cantonese cuisines and dim sums to
delight your taste buds but to also help you fully immerse in the Cantonese
culinary culture, with its solid wood floors, patterned carpets and exquisite
Oriental artwork blending seamlessly together to give you probably the most
unforgettable Yum Cha experience of your life.
Over at Huan Shi Dong, Yuexiu District, LN Garden
Hotel’s The Peach Blossom offers you a Cantonese
fine dining journey which is laced with references
and symbolisms from the legendary Chinese classic,
“Romance of the Three Kingdoms”. Paintings of
characters such as Kong Ming and Guan Yu dot the
elegant walls of the restaurant as foreigners and locals
alike partake in the Cantonese culture of “feasting” to
celebrate or commemorate a joyous or more formal
occasion. The Cantonese art of fine dining is truly
enlivened by the historical
and cultural art pieces
depicting the heroes and
scenes from the Chinese
classic, and there is nothing
truly more exciting than
experiencing both culinary
and cultural heaven both at
the same time!
GUANGZHOU
ARCHITECTURAL LANDMARKS: BLENDING
HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE WITH
MODERNITY
Every modern and liveable city will lay claim to an
architecturally significant landmark as a symbol of
its status. Guangzhou’s blend of traditional and
modern architecture tells a story of both its past
and its present. Every architecture interacts with
the dweller, with its stone walls and décor like art
pieces echoing the rich culture and interesting
tales behind the transformation of Guangzhou.
The Zhenhai Tower, which now houses the Guangzhou
Museum is a symbolic architecture masterpiece which
has survived through the turbulent Ming and Qing
Dynasties, and as a provincial cultural relic emblematic
of Guangzhou’s cultural past, it is now a fitting home to
artistic and cultural artefacts to showcase the beauty and
richness of the Lingnan culture. For Cantonese-inspired
Folk Art, the Chen Clan Ancestral Hall, which traces back
to as far as 1894, is renowned for its medieval Chinese-
styled architecture, a befitting resting place to exhibit
wood carvings, stone carvings and pottery from the masses
of the past.
After you have acquainted yourself with Guangzhou’s
rich history, you take a journey of its modern enclave,
the artistic Guangzhou Opera House in all its grandeur
and splendour, and most importantly, to promote
Guangzhou’s vibrant arts and cultural scene. The white
spaces in this stunning architectural masterpiece by the
late Zaha Hadid creates an abundance of space, both
literal and metaphorical, to inspire your creativity and
let your imagination run wild as you enter the grand
auditorium and enrich your cultural and artistic senses with
world-class performances such as Chicago The Musical
or Kinky Boots. And after you soak up the electrifying yet
culturally-enriching performances, you exit the building
to return to your urban lifestyle, and you feast your eyes
on the ever-rising Canton Tower, with its mesmerizing
kaleidoscope of colours to enchant you and also remind
you of Guangzhou’s modern prosperity and its status as
the cosmopolitan crown jewel of the Pearl River Delta.
For weekend escapades, run away to Shamian Island to
embrace the French architectural influences, a journey into
the colonial past of Guangzhou, but also to see the beauty
of life as the stunning architecture and layout become
idyllic backdrops for couples posing lovingly for their
matrimonial photos.
GUANGZHOU
PAPER
06 cover story GUANGZHOU
ART SPACES AND EVENTS APLENTY
They say that the arts are a reflection of how far
society has progressed and for the Cantonese,
with their wealth, their demand for the arts have
never been higher. All around the city, sprawling
art galleries and spaces have sprung up to
attempt to fill the spiritual void of urban dwellers
wearied by the senseless chase and pursuit of
money and the bling bling. And to make this
statement that the arts should be independent
of monetary concerns and political influences,
art spaces like Vitamin Creative Space, 53 Art
Museum, and Observation Society have tried to
put their stamp on promoting artistic liberty with
minimal costs.
All these spaces aim to afford artists and their And then there is the newly-opened
audiences not just the physical spaces but also the Guangzhou K11, the new kid in town
creative realms and licences to explore, without which aims to integrate the arts with
inhibitions, pressing social issues and themes, the fabric of Guangzhou’s lifestyle by
with the inspiration to voice out their opinions regularly hosting art exhibitions and
without fear. The wide spaces in the galleries are events amidst its luxurious commercial
but symbolic extensions of the creative space that and retail space. Thus far, the K11 has
artists and audiences should possess to partake opened to much fanfare with huge
in social and cultural interactions. For these crowds thronging the K11 art space on weekends EMBRACE NATURE AND BE INSPIRED
new-age “art galleries”, the focus is not the fine and the place is a draw with not just the masses After you have had enough of the cold concrete
visual aesthetics of Monet or Da Vinci, but the but the rich and famous, proving that art has no jungle and its capitalistic trappings and frenzied
expression of ideas, symbols and social agendas. boundaries and can be enjoyed by all. pace of life, simply escape to the Xiaozhou
Village, about 45 minutes from Guangzhou. Up
Even luxury brands in Guangzhou’s hospitality to this day, the entire town retains the classical
sector are doing their bid to combine arts with image of the archetypal Lingnan water village.
lifestyle into their product offerings. Earlier this People who are used to urban jungle like me will
year, The Lifestyle and Hospitality brand, Ritz- fall in love with this idyllic corner of Guangzhou as
Carlton, Guangzhou and K11 collaborated to the scenery here is akin to a picture right out of a
bring Chen Wei’s Where Are You Going Tonight. classical Chinese painting.
to its hotel guests. Of course, one might argue
that the hotels are also trying to draw more guests
to boost their room occupancy rates but hey,
there is no harm in spicing up the local arts scene
and mixing business with pleasure.
With its winding rivers, rustic lifestyle and artistic
oyster shell houses, the ambience resembles
that of a journey through a folk custom museum,
which probably explains why this sanctuary
draws budding artists to come here in search of
artistic and creative inspirations. Over the years,
with more art events and folk-art festivals being
held at this rustic art enclave, this “art village’
has gradually emerged as an arts and culture
sanctuary which adds a different shade of life to
Guangzhou.
With arts and culture intermingling with luxury
and lifestyle, combining together to give the
city its heartbeat and pulse, it is no wonder that
Guangzhou has emerged as one of China’s most
liveable cities. Now, that is what we call the Art of
Living.
PAPER
08 city window
China Southern Airlines in part- Hainan Airline now flies direct Guangzhou set to host inaugu- Guangzhou to increase coopera-
nership with Finnair from Shenzhen to Paris ral International Trade Services tion with Iranian city
Guangzhou’s China Southern Airlines has Hainan Airlines has launched a twice Expo Guangzhou has signed a memorandum
signed a strategic cooperation memoran- weekly Shenzhen-Paris direct flight Guangzhou has been designated as the with Gorgan, Iran on Dec 7, agreeing to
dum with Finland’s largest airline, Finnair. service, which will operate every Monday host city for the first International Trade increase cooperation. Gorgan is the cap-
With the signing of the memo, the two and Friday. Under the number HU757, the Services Expo, aimed at promoting trade, ital city of Iran’s Golestan province and
airline titans aim to establish a codeshare outbound flight B787-9 leaves Shenzhen which will be held for the first time on 2 is situated along the Silk Road. Located
partnership. Under the arrangement, pas- at 1:15 am and arrives in Paris at 7:15 am. Jun 2019. The expo, jointly held by the approximately 400 kilometres northeast
sengers of China Southern Airlines flights The return flight, HU758, leaves Paris at China Customs Brokers Association and of the country’s capital, Tehran, it is the
will be able to transfer from Helsinki to 11:35 am and arrives in Shenzhen at 5:55 China Association of Trade in Services, is economic center of Golestan. Gorgan is
15 European cities, including Copenhagen am the following day. The route is the the first of its kind and will be a platform also endowed with strong transportation
and Stockholm, while Finnair passengers first direct flight linking the two cities to facilitate the display, communication infrastructure, including international
will be able to transfer from Guangzhou and the ninth intercontinental route that and cooperation of international trade airports, railways and highways. The co-
to Nanjing, Chongqing, Sydney, Auckland Hainan Airlines operates out of Shen- services. It is estimated that participants operation between both cities are likely
and six other cities. This arrangement is zhen. will include five international industry to be in the areas of trade and cultural
set to increase passenger volumes for organizations, 15 national industry exchange.
both airlines in a win-win deal. organizations, over 30 provincial and
municipal-level industry organizations,
over 1,000 enterprises and 100 institu-
tions. More than 10 forums related to
international trade services will be held,
and more than 100 programs will be dis-
played, attracting a total of over 10,000
visitors from home and abroad.
Guangdong to ban wild bird Guangdong to ban electronic Darwin and Guangzhou to build Guangzhou becomes more con-
hunting devices in class stronger ties nected with 3 new Metro lines
Starting from 1 Jan 2019, the entire Guangdong is set to place a blanket The council of Darwin, capital of Austral- Commuters travelling to outlying dis-
Guangdong province will slap a five-year ban on all forms of electronic devices in ia’s Northern Territory (NT), has signed an tricts of Conghua and Zengcheng will
ban on wild bird hunting. During the classrooms in the wake of deteriorating agreement to build a stronger relation- no longer find travelling such a hassle
period of the ban, hunting wild birds is eyesight among school children. Schools ship with Yuexiu District of Guangzhou. with the opening of the first phase of
prohibited except for ecological, scien- are encouraged to guide students to use Kon Vatskalis, lord mayor of Darwin, said Guangzhou Metro Line 14 and the new
tific, disease-prevention or flight-safety electronic gadgets in a scientific way and the agreement with Guangzhou’s Yuexiu Line 21. The debut of Line 14’s 13-station
purposes. Using and trading bird nets homework on paper should be chosen District was the result of meetings with first phase will finally link the Knowledge
and traps are also prohibited. According over electronic devices as and when municipal and provincial government of- City Line with the rest of Guangzhou’s
to the forestry department, Guangdong necessary. Other measures to prevent ficials where his delegation gave detailed subway system. Line 14 will also operate
will also crack down on wild bird trading myopia among adolescents include presentations about investment, tourism a three-station express route from Jiah-
and trafficking, which is on the rise in participating more in outdoor activities, and education opportunities in Darwin. ewanggang to Zhenlong in 40 minutes,
Guangdong. getting more sleep and reducing stu- Trade and investment between Darwin and a fast train from Jiahewanggang to
dents’ homework loads. Through these and China have been increasing steadily Dongfeng. Commuters that choose to
measures, the province aims to reduce and it is hoped that the agreement will ride the express train from Jiahewang-
the juvenile myopia rate by 0.5 percent benefit both cities economically and gang to Dongfeng can expect to shave
annually in the next five years. socially. 10 minutes off their journey, while the
express journey from Jiahewanggang
to Zhenlong is 14 minutes faster. Addi-
tionally, the new section of the Guangfo
Line, which runs from Yangang to Lijiao,
also began operations. With these new
lines, every district of Guangzhou is now
officially connected to the city’s subway
network.
PAPER
10 arts & events
6th Guangzhou Triennial 2018 2019 Alexander Korsantia Piano Recital Guangzhou
The Triennial seeks "to address the multiple implications engendered by such a technologically Ever since winning the Gold Medal at the Artur Rubinstein Piano Master Competition and
constructed time-space, in the real and through the virtual, by examining creative endeavors the First Prize at the Sidney International Piano Competition, Korsantia’s career has taken him
both from geographical purviews and from cosmic prospects in responding to the challenges and to many of the world’s major concert halls, collaborating with renowned conductors such as
opportunities at stake and to think". It focuses on the theme, Christoph Eschenbach, Gianandrea Noseda, Jansug Kakhidze,
As We May Think: Feedforward, to reflect on social changes Valery Gergiev, and Paavo Järvi, and with orchestras as the
brought by the development of technology. The triennale Chicago Symphony, Kirov Orchestra, RAI Orchestra in Turin, The
comprises three sections-Inside the Stack: Art in the Digital; City of Birmingham Symphony, Cincinnati Symphony, and Israel
Evolution of Kin and Machines Are Not Alone.The Triennial will Philharmonic. Although he is not as commercialized, he is still
feature artworks by up to 49 international artists/participants highly-regarded as one of the best pianists in the world.
from 14 countries and areas. The themed exhibition will
present in three sections: “Inside the Stack: Art in the Digital” Dates: 22 Jan 2019
(curated by Philipp Ziegler), “Evolutions of Kin” (curated by Time: 8pm
Angelique Spaninks) and “Machines Are Not Alone” (curated by Venue: Guangzhou Xinghai Concert Hall
Prices: RMB VIP880/680/480/380
Zhang Ga). For tickets, please call 86-10-400-610-3721 or email ponypiao@aliyun.
com
Dates: 21 December 2018 - 10 March 2019
Time: 9am - 5pm
Venue: Guangdong Museum of Art
Admission is free. Please bring along valid ID card or passport.
The Sound Of Music Roma City Ballet: Swan Lake
The Sound of Music is a musical with music composed by Richard Rodgers, lyrics by Oscar Actively bringing the joy of ballet to audiences across the city, Roma City Ballet will present this
Hammerstein II and based on the memoirs of Maria von Trapp, The Story of the Trapp Family beautiful production of Swan Lake at the Guangzhou Opera House. Swan Lake is one of the most
Singers. Set in Austria on the eve of the Anschluss in 1938, the complex theatrical productions in the company's active repertory with its drama, romance and
musical tells the story of Maria, who takes a job as a governess intrigue. Swan Lake inspires awe for its mystery and magic with exquisite swan-maiden ensembles
to a large family. Many songs from the musical have become and lyrical pas de deux. The focus is on the prima ballerina who performs the dual roles of the
gone on to become popular hits with audiences worldwide. radiant White Swan, Odette and the scheming, duplicitous Black Swan, Odile, both of which
This winter, the popular musical returns as The Sound of Music require extreme athleticism, vigour and grace.
gets a Chinese makeover. Watch Maria and her children frolick
on specially constructed sets, built to recreate the grandeur of Dates: 25- 27 Jan 2019
the expansive Swiss Alps. Time: 730pm
Venue: Guangzhou Opera House
Prices: RMB 880/680/580/380/280/180
Dates: 10 - 13 Jan 2019 For tickets, please call 86-10-400-610-3721 or email
Time: 230pm/730pm ponypiao@aliyun.com
Venue: Guangzhou Performing Arts Theater
Prices: RMB VIP880/666/580/380/280/180
For tickets, please call 86-10-400-610-3721 or email ponypiao@aliyun.
com
2019 Youth Music Culture Guangdong Dionysian Super-X: Physical Hilarity
Presented by the Guangdong Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism, organized jointly by Four Chinese and British artists - Tian Xiaolei, Tong Kunniao,
the Guangzhou Symphony Orchestra (GSO) and Xinghai Concert Hall, supported by the Publicity Hu Weiyi and Peter William Holden - will present works
Department of the Committee of Yuexiu District and with Volkswagen Group China as Founding that challenge people's sensory feelings and reflect on the
Partner, the 3rd Youth Music Culture Guangdong (YMCG) will take place in Guangzhou. During that connections between the human and the surrounding at
period, YMCG Artistic Director Yo-Yo Ma and his teaching faculty will work with young musicians Dionysian Super-X. Music, videos, theatre play and computer
from four continents-spanning a wide range of educational background and experience-to form a programming will be blended into their works to jointly create
new YMCG Symphony Orchestra. Yo-Yo Ma’s music traverses an environment that blurs the boundary between the real
cultures and ethnicities, bearing testament to the fact that and the unreal, reminding the audience of the illusory feelings
music knows no boundaries. Ma is a symbol of an open and when one is indulged in the excitement and anxieties of the
embracing musical attitude and an icon for cross-cultural virtual world.
exchange and dialogue. New music created by Yo-Yo Ma, his
distinguished teaching faculty and young musicians of diverse Date: Till 28 Feb 2019
backgrounds convey a strong message to the world: that Time: 10am-830pm
Guangdong and Chinese musicians are keen to communicate Venue: K11 Guangzhou
Prices: RMB 120 (2 pax)/ 68 (1 pax)
and engage in dialogue, sharing the multicultural message
For tickets, please visit www.k11.com
behind the music.
Date: 11 and 19 Jan 2019
Time: 11 Jan - 8pm/ 19 Jan - 2pm
Venue: Symphony Hall, Xinghai Concert Hall
Prices: RMB VIP680/380/280/180/100
For tickets, please visit www.ticket-easy.cn
Mozart, The Rock Opera Little Women By Chapterhouse Theatre
Ready to set the stage in Guangzhou Opera House ablaze Chapterhouse Theatre Company is proud to present the timeless story of Little Women, based on
this winter, Mozart, the rock opera is a French musical and a the classic novel by Louisa May Alcott. Join Chapterhouse as four sisters - Jo, Beth, Meg and Amy
dramatization of the life of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. It uses - tell the story of their life during the Civil War in America. It is
both original pop-rock compositions as well as pre-existing a story full of romance, love, passion, friendship; a story where
music composed by Mozart. With bold rock music and classical hope will always outdo heartache and hardship if you just have
Baroque-styled costume, combining modern representation the courage to follow your dreams. The tale of these four sisters
techniques as well as magnificent European court stage designs, is brought to life in a brand-new adaptation from Chapterhouse,
this show perfectly illustrates the incomparable talent of Mozart featuring glorious period costume, traditional live music and a
in an innovative way. story of self-discovery to warm your heart.
Date: 11 - 20 Jan 2019 Date: 29 - 30 March 2019
Time: 730pm Time: 730pm
Venue: Guangzhou Opera House Venue: Xinghai Concert Hall
Prices: RMB VIP1280/1080/880/680/480/280 Prices: RMB 320/280/200/100
For tickets, please call 86-10-400-610-3721 or email ponypiao@aliyun.com For tickets, please call 86-10-400-610-3721 or email ponypiao@aliyun.comPAPER
12 fortune
China’s Outbound Tourism Market:
NEW OPENING PROPOSED
FOR FOREIGN INVESTORS
C
hina’s outbound tourism market could soon benefit from relaxations
for foreign firms. A proposal to allow wholly-foreign ownership
(WFOE) of Beijing-based travel agencies is currently awaiting
approval from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.
Announced by Cao Pengcheng, Deputy Head of the Beijing Municipal
Commission of Tourism Development, the plan would allow Beijing-based
foreign companies to provide overseas travel services. These firms would be
subject to certain conditions, which have not yet been confirmed.
Market access for foreign travel agencies in
China
Despite the rapidly growing market, foreign
agencies have so far been prohibited from
facilitating overseas tourism from China. Only in
2003 were foreign-owned travel firms permitted
to offer inbound travel products.
This could very well change, following trends
in the global tourism industry that has seen the
growth of several new segments created by online
services and IT startups.
Beijing’s proposal also comes at a time when
foreign interest in China is growing weary over
hidden market restrictions and uncompetitive
China’s overseas tourism spending practices. Yet, prospects for the tourism market
China’s tourism industry is growing at an annual are still highly attractive.
rate of 10 percent, with online travel services
pulling growth at around 35-40 percent. The Just recently, the UK-based travel agency Thomas
market is big and offers interesting opportunities Cook entered into a joint venture with Fosun
for investors. Tourism group in Hainan. Last year, Wan Cheng
(Shanghai) Travel Service Co Ltd, controlled by a
The overseas tourism segment is especially Hong Kong enterprise, became the first such firm
lucrative in China. Outbound travel expenditure to run outbound travel business from the Chinese
grew 11 times since 2006 to reach US$261 billion mainland.
in 2016, per the United Nations World Tourism
Organization. Officials say that while foreign entry could
threaten domestic players, it will make the
According to official figures, Chinese tourists industry competitive. Foreign participation will
made 130 million overseas trips in 2017 at a expand options for the increasing number of
growth of nine percent year-on-year. In the first six Chinese who wish to travel overseas and breed
months of 2018, Chinese visits abroad reached innovation in the products developed and in travel
71.31 million, a 15 percent increase from 2017. management.New regulation of online travel services in China The proposed opening by Beijing comes a few weeks after a deadly boating incident involving Chinese tourists in Thailand was blamed on weak oversight. Almost immediately, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism drafted regulation tightening the oversight on online travel businesses. The new rules require online travel service providers to bolster their rescue and emergency plans, ensure better inspection and management of their on-the-ground service partners, purchase liability insurance, and protect the personal information of clients. Some of these regulations already exist for storefront travel operators. China is among the world’s fastest growing online travel markets. Major players include Ctrip.com International Ltd., Tuniu Corp., and Alibaba Group Holding Ltd.’s travel service, Fliggy.
14
jetsetter
PAPER MAGAZINE
FLORENCE:
WORLD-CLASS ART PARADISO
Besides being known as the birthplace of the Renaissance movement, this enchanting Italian city
is also a place oozing to the brim with world-class art and fabulous Tuscan cuisine that can be
summed up in one word: PARADISO!
WHERE TO GO
UFFIZI GALLERY
This stunning gallery houses some of the world’s greatest
collection of Italian Renaissance art, bequeathed to the
city by the Medici family in 1743 on condition that it never
leave Florence. Here, you will behold the spectacular Sala
del Botticelli, numbered as Rooms 10 to 14, but in fact two
large light and graceful rooms, one of the Uffizi's hot spots
that is forever packed. Of the 18 Botticelli works displayed
in the Uffizi in all, the iconic La nascita di Venere (The Birth
of Venus; c 1485), Primavera (Spring; c 1482) and Madonna
del Magnifica (Madonna of the Magnificat; 1483) are the
best creations by the Renaissance master renowned for his
ethereal figures.
After Botticelli, you gaze at the beauty of The Tondo Doni by
Michelangelo and Raphael’s portraits (now in halls 35 and 66), and
Leonardo da Vinci's one and only completed panel painting, The
Annunciation, considered the height of Renaissance works, described
by Vasari as “The School of the World” for any painter. Every vivid
painting and sculpture transplants the viewers back to the Golden Age
of Europe and if the paintings don’t blow you away, the stunning 16th-
century architecture by Italian painter Giorgio Vasari with its extending
colonnades, linear columns and traditional pediments, will surely take
your breath away.IL DUOMO DI FIRENZE
This dome has stood as a testament to the
superiority of Florentine ingenuity. Few will
understand just how important this architectural
feat was for the Republic of Florence. When
the Cathedral was first designed at the end of
the 13th century, the massive octagonal dome
was planned, but no one yet knew how an
architectural structure of such enormous breadth
and height would be built. The architectural feat
involved laying the bricks in a herringbone pattern
on the 8 sides of the octagonal dome to allow
them to hold themselves in place while the mortar
dried with an astounding 4 million bricks and 37
thousand tons of material hoisted over 170 feet
into the cathedral ceiling.
Of course, you are in Florence and it is virtually a
sin to not have any art in the cathedral. Here, you
behold the biggest artwork within the cathedral,
Giorgio Vasari's frescoes of the Last Judgment
(1572-9): they were designed by Vasari
but painted mostly by his less-talented
student Frederico Zuccari by 1579. Rich
in theological depictions, I have only one
superlative for this masterpiece: BRAVO!
Finally, complete the enriching experience
by making your ascent to the top of
the cupola and feast your eyes on the
wonderfully sights of Florence as if the
entire city was a poetic painting on a
Michelangelo canvas. The entire city of
Florence is an art in itself. Panoramically
breath-taking!
GALLERIA DELL'ACCADEMIA
If the Uffizi Gallery is the most legendary and most frequented Florentine
museum, the Accademia Gallery has the second longest queue in Florence and
as such, we absolutely recommend that you have to pre-book your tickets in
advance to avoid disappointment. But if you somehow make it into his stunning
gallery of world-class sculptures, we guarantee you won’t be disappointed.
The draw of the Gallery is none other than the world-renowned Renaissance
sculpture created by Michelangelo between 1501 and 1504, a marble statue
depicting the Biblical hero David in his full glory. Since its creation in the early
16th century, artists and art connoisseurs alike have admired the piece. Esteemed
artist, writer, and historian Giorgio Vasari noted that “no other artwork is equal
to it in any respect, with such just proportion, beauty and excellence did
Michelangelo finish it.” For us mere mortals who are not refined art critics, you
can just stand and gasp in awe at the exquisite balance of proportions and the
fine finishes depicting the beauty of human anatomy in the sculpture.
If David does not convince you of Michelangelo’s sculpturing genius, his other
masterpiece, The Slaves, will give you a glimpse into the master’s understanding
of the human anatomy and his unique sculpturing skills. We do not expect you to
be an art critic but it won’t hurt to read up on the endless interpretations of the
sculptures and their symbolism to better appreciate the masterpieces on display.PAPER
16 jetsetter
PALAZZO PITTI
The grand palace of the Medici family still houses
some of the greatest art from the Renaissance era
along with family heirlooms and history. Before
you even enter this museum of sheer heavenly
art work, you are already stunned by its beautiful
exterior, which in itself, is both an architectural and
artistic masterpiece.
Inside this architectural monument houses several
galleries and museums that include magnificent
collections of paintings and sculpture, porcelain,
a costume gallery and other works of art. The huge museum which houses several museums
magnificently decorated historical setting extends under its roof.
to the Boboli Gardens, one of the earliest in Italy,
which is famous for its fountains and grottoes. In our honest opinion, there is no way you can
The Pitti Palace comprises the following galleries finish every place in one day if you really want an
and museums: The Modern Art Gallery, Museo in-depth exploration of the art pieces and soak
Degli Argenti, Costume Gallery, Palatina Gallery in the sheer beauty of this majestic palace, and
and Royal Apartments, Boboli Museum and The of course, bask in the outdoors of the Boboli
Porcelain Museum. The entire palace is like a Gardens.
WHERE TO FEAST
LA CUCINA DEL GARGA
After you have treated your soul to the beautiful
art pieces of Florence, head on down to this artsy
joint to experience how it is like to savour authentic
Tuscan gourmet. Art of all kinds cover the walls and
a few rooms are even completely painted in vibrant
colours to whet your appetite and engage your
senses even before the chef, Alessandro Gargani
delights your taste buds with his own culinary art.
We recommend the house specialty, the pasta
magnifico (magnificent pasta)-homemade linguini
with a cream sauce of brandy, citrus zest, mint, and
Parmagiano cheese. Be warned. The price is steep
but the experience worth every penny for art lovers!
Address: Via San Zanobi 33/r, Florence 50129, Italy
Tel: +39 055 475286
WHERE TO STAY
PALAZZO MAGNANI FERONI
An architectural crown jewel of the 16th
century, the Palazzo Magnani Feroni
has written itself into the National
Register of Historical Monuments of
the State of Italy. Exquisite details and
elegant ornamentation are placed
throughout the building, surprising
the art connoisseur with frescoes, vaulted ceilings and intricate
wood-carvings. The art pieces and sculptures that line the walls
of this hotel make you feel like you are living in Renaissance
Italy and the experience is akin to living in an art gallery. Every
detail screams: Welcome to Florence, the Art Paradiso on Earth!
Address: Palazzo Magnani Feroni, Borgo S. Frediano, 5, 50124
Firenze FI, Italy
Tel: +39 055 239 9544PAPER
18 auto
Transforming Cars Into
ART
On Wheels:
GERRY MCGOVERN
Almost every automotive fan
obsesses over the technical
specifications of the cars but
not many appreciate the design
genius and artistry of creating
sexy and sleek appearances
to make these automobiles
visually appealing. As the
highly acclaimed Chief Design
Officer of Land Rover, Mr Gerry
McGovern shares with us his art
of making Land Rover’s cars a
visual feast for car lovers.
S
ince Gerry McGovern took the reins to become the design
director for Land Rover in 2006, he has charted a new
course in the design of Land Rover vehicles by imposing
his personal vision, values and artistry to breathe new
life in the visual aesthetics of Land Rover’s automobiles. With a
solid educational background in industrial design from Coventry
University and a Masters at the Royal College of Art in London
specializing in automotive design, coupled with his passion in
fine art and architecture, Gerry McGovern set Land Rover on a
path which saw the functionality-above-all-else vehicles transform
magically into the “Chanel” of the industry, with its refined, high-
styled and luxurious aesthetics.His design strategy drove Land Rover to huge successes in 2017 and 2018 which eventually saw his brainchild, the Range Rover Velar win the 2018 World Car Award for Car Design of the Year and scoring high marks its ability to “resonate on an emotional level” with car fanatics. The prestigious award propelled McGovern to superstar status at the World Car Awards in New York where the automobile media and fans scrambled to meet the architect and artist of the sexy design blueprints of the award-winning Range Rover Velar. The design maestro of Land Rover explained the artistic beauty of the Velar, “What is beautiful about the Velar is that it’s beautifully balanced and proportioned, and the surfaces are beautifully sculptured. You see things like the flush door handles, the flush glazing, the very high levels of precision in terms of the linework. The lamps Being a huge fan of Joseph Albers, the founding While the automotive artistic genius was also are very stealth-like. It is a vehicle that truly does father of Modernist printmaking, it is hardly crowned the “Designer of the Year” at the Grand resonate on an emotional level. Then when you surprisingly that Gerry McGovern’s artistic direction Prix du Design during Festival Automobile get inside, it looks harmonious, it creates a sense for Land Rover is largely Modernist in its approach, International in Paris in early 2018, McGovern of what we call “car sanctuary.” In the world we coupled with his strong belief in reductive design brushed off the award and declared that his live in of 24/7 connectivity, too much complexity, principles which prize minimalism, simplicity and greatest achievement was actually convincing a particularly in the car’s interior, can be an irritant. user-friendliness over expansiveness and clumsy bunch of engineers and mechanics at Land Rover What we wanted to do with Velar is make that less technicality. This probably explains why the Velar is to get out of their Henry Ford mindset of mass obvious. The technology, the connectivity is all not just aesthetically appealing to the refined car production and focus on infusing artistic beauty there. But it’s more intuitive and it’s less visible, in lovers, but also resonates emotionally with them into the machines. For him, the satisfaction of your face. For me, when I get into an automobile, because of the Velar’s uncanny ability to create creating beautiful art on wheels is the best reward I don’t want to feel like I’m getting into the cockpit pleasing experiences for whoever chooses to ride he can ever have. of a Boeing 747”. in it.
PAPER
20 muse
KARL LAGERFELD:
The Idiosyncratic Fashion
Legend With Artistic Flair
T
he thing that strikes you the most is not Perhaps this is why Karl Lagerfeld,
just Karl Otto Lagerfeld’s trademark white outside experimenting with chic designs
ponytail and his chic and dark sunglasses but for his own label, loves to dabble in arts,
also his passion for art and his infectious belief in photography, illustrations and publishing.
endless possibilities. The German designer has Lagerfeld’s encounters with art and
earned his reputation as an iconic fashion legend other visual stimuli happen as part of the
as he helms the creative directorship of fashion great omnivorous cultural whirlwind that
titans such as Chanel and Fendi. However, the travels around him - ever gorging, never
fact that he embraces the concept of endless satisfied, yet leaving him, at the centre,
possibilities which drives his passion and penchant somehow touched but unchanged.
for creativity, propelled him to create his own At one point, he compares himself to
fashion label, KARL LAGERFELD. a building with a television antenna,
receiving information that somehow
His own label is a persona of his creative and artsy passes through him. “I catch a lot and
spirit which finds its expression in the beautiful and forget about it,” he proclaimed flippantly.
elegant fashion pieces that he designs. Although colourful illustrations for the classic fairy tale
he has already garnered endless acclaims and True to his philosophy of venturing into the The Emperor’s New Clothes by Hans Christian
achievements, Karl Lagerfeld is driven by the uncharted realms of art and fashion, Karl Lagerfeld Anderson.
irresistible urge to innovate, create and explore has had the honour of having some of his artistic
new frontiers both in fashion and in art. Instead creations displayed at Galerie Gmurzynska, Lagerfeld may have already achieved countless
of carefully structured designs, his philosophy is a Zurich-based establishment with a 50-year successes in the fashion realm and the art world,
to “work from feelings and motivations” rather pedigree and an important grounding in European but he is always on the lookout for new adventures
than “analyzing which kills creativity”. Just like abstract art, since 1996. The exhibition, an and inspirations to create fashion wear and art.
his flamboyant appearance and zest for life, the experiment with recherché techniques: a rare form With his achievements as testament to his creative
designer-artist sees living in the moment and of printing using honey and rubber, adapted from and artistic genius, he is undisputedly the world’s
exploring the uncharted territories of the creative a method used by Alphonse Poitevin; giant-format most idiosyncratic designer with artistic flair.
realm as an endless source of fascination and Polaroids; green platinum prints and now fire
enjoyment. etching, was but one of the many artistic ventures
of Karl Lagerfeld, in addition to his creation of
Pleated Panel Shirt Dress
K/Signature Raffia
Shoulder Bag
Halter-Neck Dress
K/Tokyo Hooded Jacket
Wool Bomber JacketPANTONE’S 2019
COLOR
OF THE YEAR:
INSPIRING ZEST
AND LIFE
Kiss goodbye to the refreshing hues of greenery and say hello to the upbeat and hip colour tones of coral because you are going to be seeing a lot more of
this orange-pink hue (officially PANTONE 16-1546). As the world’s most definitive authority on colour, and its annual choice influencing the fields of interior
decorating, fashion, graphic design, and other creative industries since 1999, Pantone has officially named “Living Coral” its Color of the Year for 2019.
According to Pantone, the choice is emblematic of the human need to feel connected to other people in our modern internet jungle, “Sociable and spirited,
the engaging nature of PANTONE 16-1546 Living Coral welcomes and encourages light-hearted activity. Symbolizing our innate need for optimism and
joyful pursuits, PANTONE 16-1546 Living Coral embodies our desire for playful expression.”
Without further ado, interior designers and fashionistas worldwide have already started to flaunt the PANTONE 16-1546 Living Coral to spice up their artistic
creations.
WATERFRONT NIKIS APARTMENT
(THESSALONIKI, GREECE)
In this seaside apartment designed by architect
Stamatios Giannikis, the colour combinations
of flamingo pink, azure blue and pastel green
are deftly combined to create a homely yet
vibrant space as a fitting complement to the
apartment’s original art-deco fittings. The
vibrant colourful hues also add a touch of
liveliness that inspires creativity and imagination,
allowing its residents or the guests at dinners
or exhibitions hosted at this apartment to “run
free with their ideas and thoughts without
boundaries”. If you are this apartment’s lucky resident, the bright and bold orange hue of the walls will
also accentuate the visual effect of the aquatic blue emanating from the Mediterranean Sea facing the
apartment, transforming the seaside view into the semblance of an art piece coming alive before your very
eyes.
HIDDEN TINTS APARTMENT
(STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN)
A coral armchair and storage closet stand
out inside this renovated 19th-century
apartment in Stockholm, where Note Design
Studio swapped the typically restrained and
minimalistic Scandinavian colour palette for
PANTONE PANTRY AT ROYAL PALM SOUTH bright pastel hues. While the lighter shades
BEACH MIAMI, A TRIBUTE PORTFOLIO RESORT and hues bring out the classy elegance of
The Pantone Pantry was recently unveiled during this apartment and maintain its “19th-century
Art Basel Miami Beach, a pop-up event at the Royal splendour”, the coral armchair and storage
Palm South Beach which offered visitors the chance closet enliven its contemporary ambience
to immerse in the bright spirits and liveliness of and add a different stroke of zest.
the Living Coral. Designed by Pantone Colour
Institute-the team responsible for selecting the
Pantone Colour of the Year-in collaboration with
BREADWAY BAKERY (ODESSA, UKRAINE)
Tribute Portfolio Hotels, “Pantone Pantry by Tribute
Gleeful customers and patrons can expect a jolly
Portfolio” was an immersion into all things Living
good time when they break bread at this hip café
Coral.
and bakery designed and furnished by Lera Brumina
and Artem Trigubchak. Concrete floors, high ceilings
Conceived as a quaint little house on hotel
and large windows, with a combination of soft pink
grounds, the Pantry contained suitcases, trunks,
and blue tones, transform this café into a vibrant
and decorative bric-a-brac all decked out in the
experience to enhance the taste of the bread and
2019 hue. Secret compartment–filled drawers lined
encourage the celebration of joyous occasions. The
the walls, opening to reveal books, sunglasses,
colours of orange, pink and blue for different areas
and accessories, along with information on Tribute
stir the comfy zones of patrons and welcome them
Portfolio hotels around the world. A hidden guest
to stay for as long as they wish in this vibrantly artsy
room bathed in Living Coral stowed away within
café as they savour the delights of their croissants and
the installation, while pop animations by Miami-
cappuccinos.
based illustrator Gabriel Alcala were displayed,
set to music by LSD (the supergroup made up of
Labrinth, Sia, and Diplo).
It goes without saying that prominent figures and
invited guests added their own colourful touch and
vibrant playfulness by attending the pop-up artistic
event decked out in matching fashion wear.PAPER
22 eureka
EUREKA “WeDraw” Eggy:
Inspiring Your Kids to Discover and Learn
Fancy getting your kids to become interested in learning and
discovery of the world around them? The “WeDraw” Eggy,
designed and created by Ralph Masiello, may hold the key to
unleashing your kid’s inner artistic talent. The kids’ boredom is
kept at bay as the robot actually draws out characters and diagrams designed by Ralph himself
instead of merely just projecting them onto a screen. Regardless of whether it is animals,
artwork, architecture, math, or science, the kids can see the pictures come to life before their
very eyes and feel inspired to start their journey of discovery and learning.
The “Davinch”:
Bringing Back the Good Old Days Of Da Vinci
Artists are extremely fussy about the entire artistic experience.
Although digital tablets such as the iPad Pro has promised to
allow seamless drawing, it still cannot mimic the feel, texture and
experience of fiddling with the artist’s old-fashioned paintbrush and
canvas. Enter the “Davinch” which boasts of bringing back
the experience of the good old days. The “Davinch” is more
The “OMNI” Pen: sensitive and functional than the Apple Pencil and wielding the
device recreates the experience to make it similar to as if the
All the World’s Colours at your Fingertips
artist is drawing or painting on an actual canvas. A must-have
Just like how Kindle allows you to store all your books in a
for professional artists or those aspiring to become one!
single device, the “OMNI” Pen allows you to store all the
world’s colours in a single pen. Now, without having to lug
a whole bag of colour pencils, you can add colours to your
drawings or lecture notes with minimal fuss. With this pen,
you can be drawing, colouring or highlighting at the same
time without having to stop and change the pen. Now,
designers and students can have the world’s colours all at
their fingertips!
WILLGOO Apple Pencil
Picolor: Carrying Case: The Premium
Painting Made Easy, Stylus Charging Case
Anytime, Anywhere Ever felt frustrated that when you are in
Colouring and painting have the middle of a long meeting and your
never been easier and more convenient. Behold the Picolor, Apple Pencil runs out of power and
a unique paint mixer which is capable of magically producing more you have to start typing notes instead?
than 1 million colours despite containing just Cyan, Magenta, WILLGOO has come up with a sleek and
Yellow, Black and White within its small cubic design. cool case to not only store your Pencil
All you need to do is to assign the colour from the but this exquisite case also comes with a
app on your phone and the machine does all the built-in battery to extend your usage of the
work. In just a few seconds, you are ready to Apple Pencil. With 10 times the power
paint. Pure Magic! available from this case which can also be
charged fully in just 40 minutes, you will
never run out of power again!PAPER
fighting fit 23
The Art Of ctice
ement Pra
Mov
Start simple:
good, feel good, and a day
Don’t we all want to look • Crawl for a few minutes
lthy? air squats wh ile waiting for the bus
be hea • Do a few
the fitness community, or subway
To achieve these goals, in walking the dog
h and con ditioni ng by • Balance on a curb while
we priori tize strengt s
cardio. In the wellness • Practice handstand
lifting weights and doing watching television
tize min dfu l mo vem ent • Sit on the ground while
nity, we priori gra ss
commu
a and Pilates. Why • Walk barefoot in
and breathing by doing yog selv es ins tead • Hang from monkey bar
s
e our your lunch break
do we separate and alienat Are n’t • Climb a tree during
community? nd on one foot
of coming together in the nity striving for • With your eyes closed, sta
ess and we llne ss com mu
both fitn
closely into strength
better health? If we look
and meditation
and conditioning methods
say tha t bot h trainings are
methods, we can
inings are about
about movement, both tra gs are about
bot h tra inin
mindfulness, and
practice combines
adaptability. A movement
lne ss, and adaptability.
movement, mindfu
umbrella that
Movement practice is a big es, mindfulness
covers yoga, breathing pra ctic l after trying some
method, Ido Portal Notice how good you fee
practice, Pilates, MovNat doe sn’t need to be
l flow, etc. The intent of these activities. It
movement culture, ani ma d. Just fee l the mo vement, go with
e is to connect your complicate
of having a moving practic movement. As the flow, and have fun .
y thr oug h
mind and your bod
our bod y’s real world sists of:
a result, we inc rease
ngt h and mobility, A movement practice con
capability. We improv e stre
• Upper body strength
improve health.
we improve focus, and we • Lower body strength
ances
we move with • Handstands and arm bal
In a movement practice, • Mobility
we mo ve wit h the intent of
purpose, and • Locomotion
y and using all the mind
thinking with the bod • Coordination
s. If you need
by using natural movement d with natural • Rhythm
get sta rte
inspiration on how to
se act ivit ies a shot. h and try. Basic
movement , give the There are lots to play wit
ch presses, pushups,
strength is required so ben
curls, heavy squats and deadlifts
pull ups, biceps
h portion! The intent
are included in the strengt os is a professional fitn
ess coach
feel good. Looking -Coach Stephanie Ram
is to move purposefully and roducts of a
to
bili ty exp ert. She help s her clients learn how
and mo
are byp sses and inflexibility in
good and losing weight overcome thei r bod y’s wea kne
pain-
powerful, functional, and
good movement practice. order to help them live
free lives.
s
WeChat: stechangramo
mos
Instagram @schangra
s@yahoo.com
E-mail: stechangramoPAPER
24 athlete
WHERE SPORTSWEAR
AND ART CONVERGE: NIKE
Nike is a brand synonymous with comfortable sportswear which does its job and makes you feel comfortable
during sports and exercises. What is lesser known is that Nike has forged a whole new level of sports shoe and
sneakers culture with its close collaboration with artists. While many may focus on the sportwear’s functionality,
the artistic designs on some of Nike’s latest sportswear have captured the imagination and attention of fans
worldwide. Paper Magazine reviews some of NIKE’s latest artistic creations.
CONVERSE ARTIST SERIES
It isn’t hard to see why Nike acquired Converse in 2003.
It signaled NIKE’s growing interest in colourful and
artsy-styled sneakers that would appeal to teenagers
and streetwear-lovers. Under NIKE, Converse has
continued to cultivate this appeal to a unique segment,
and it continues to get better in 2018. To spice up the
winter of 2018, Converse has launched the Artist Series,
a new global Foot Locker exclusive collection curated
by Tyler, the Creator, featuring art by Wyatt Navarro and
Norwegian Øyvind Lauvdahl.
The collaboration produces a colourfully creative artwork imprinted on the creamy
white layout of a Converse Chuck 70. A Chuck 70 proudly displays Wyatt’s semi-colorful
print on parchment canvas reminiscent of vibrant Los Angeles street art, the One Star
portrays a less hippy and more dark picture of Norway in the dark winter months. The
two artists also collaborated on a Chuck 70, presented with split side designs to show
their contrasting creative points of view. The three variants of the series have been
available since 26 November 2018.
NIKE AIR MAX DIA
They may not be known as the Spice Girls or the Charlie Angels but Nike has assembled an
all-female team of a designer, engineer, developer and product manager craft a new design
for the new Nike Air Max Dia. The result was stunningly and artistically delicious: A perfect
combination of design and function, balanced in the silhouette, despite the volumes being
pushed to the maximum. By blending sophisticated design with high-end technology and
tooling, the team managed to achieve stunning aesthetic effects without the heel being
overly bulky and cumbersome, while ensuring
the shoe piece remained elegantly feminine.
It was seemingly mission impossible but the
team got it done and thanks to their artistry and
creativity, the Nike Air Max Dia will be released
in January 2019 at selected retailers to grateful
fans.
MAYA MOORE X ALEALI MAY AIR JORDAN COURT LUX COLLECTION
Nike’s success with the Air Jordan series spun a whole new series of artistic designs
and collaborations on an unprecedented level in the sportswear industry. This story
continues with the collaboration of basketball superstar Maya Moore and legendary
stylist Aleali May to craft a women’s-exclusive Air Jordan collection: The Court Lux
Air Jordan 1 and Air Jordan X.
The shoes are stitched with premium suede to accentuate its classic feel and the
shoes’ colours drew inspiration from Moore's favourite uniforms throughout her
career. The designers added a removable faux fur tongue on the AJI to represent
May’s influence on high fashion, and Moore’s logo and favourite bible verse on the
AJX, leaving their signature marks on their artistic collaborations.
Both the Maya Moore x Aleali May Court
Lux Air Jordan I and Maya Moore x Aleali
May Air Jordan X have been released in
December 2018.PAPER
cotchin 25
Movie LOVING VINCENT (2017) Book
Vincent van Gogh is one of the most famous artists in the history of
the Western hemisphere, with an astounding 2,100 art pieces to his
name. Known for his vivid portrayals of emotions and the human state
in his paintings, Pixar Animation Studios have paid tribute to one of
the greatest painters in the world by creating the world’s first fully
painted feature film. By re-imaging over 120 of Vincent’s paintings
and weaving them together into an interesting narrative of his life,
this film is a culmination of the painstaking and dedicated work of
over 125 professional oil-painters who hand-painted each and every
single one of the 65,000 frames in this amazing film. The paintings
are so beautifully crafted and the narrative so gripping that the film
received a standing ovation and the Audience Award at the Annecy
International Animation Film Festival 2017 before going on to bag the
'Best Animation Award' at the Shanghai International Film Festival.
Not to be missed!
THE ARTIST OF THE FLOATING WORLD BY
KAZUO ISHIGURO
Art can convey emotions and political ideas and
this theme is brought out fully by Nobel Prize
CRAZY RICH ASIANS (2018)
Winner Kazuo Ishiguro’s protagonist, Masuji Ono
Adapted from the best-selling novel by Kevin Kwan, this romantic who is a painter fixated with the traditional Japan
comedy of a rich Asian family in Singapore and the struggles of in the 1940s, filled with teahouses and geishas
New Yorker Rachel Chu to fit into her boyfriend’s aristocratically untainted by industrialization and Westernization.
rich family. Besides the splendour of posh and luxurious setting, all Even as he denies his mistake in once having
filmed in exotic locales of Singapore and Malaysia, the movie gives created propaganda for the Imperial Army,
a glimpse into the rising wealth and power of Asia and the movie he faces the inability to communicate with his
made a statement in Hollywood with its first-ever all-Asian cast, and daughters who fail to understand his fixation
characters who defy the usual Hollywood stereotypes about Asians. with the past. As Japan shakes off the ghost of
The movie might not have opened to a fanfare in China but in North its imperial past, the painter who is trapped by
America, the movie was a huge box-office success and received his past, finds it hard to let go. A must-read for
fantastic reviews from film critics. Kazuo Ishiguro fans!
PAPER
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